BANGKOK — Police and soldiers at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport arrested a taxi driver yesterday for installing a rigged fare meter and having illegal drugs in his car.
Police say the driver, Sawai Meepian, installed a device known as “turbo meter” in his car, which can be pressed by hand to swiftly raise the fare. The switch was wrapped in a black cloth and hidden close to the turn signal, police said.
They also claimed to find 24 kratom leaves in the vehicle’s glove box. Kratom is an addictive plant used as a folk remedy and is illegal in Thailand.
Sawai said he has been driving taxis for 30 years. He acknowledged that he owned the car, but disavowed any knowledge about the rigged meter.